Hungerford man jailed for firearms offences

28-year-old caught with a stun gun disguised as a torch

A Hungerford man who was caught carrying a disguised firearm has been jailed.

James Green, of Morley Place, was stopped while driving in Hambridge Road, Newbury, in December last year.

The 28-year-old was arrested at the scene after officers discovered that he was carrying a stun gun disguised as a torch.

He was charged in February with one count of possession of a prohibited weapon, one count of possession of a firearm when prohibited for five years and one count of careless driving.

Green pleaded guilty to all of the offences and was sentenced to five years' imprisonment at Reading Crown Court on Friday, April 24.

Investigating officer, PC Nigel Woodall of Local CID based at Newbury police station said: “Possession of Firearms is a serious offence which was made worse due to the weapon being disguised as something else.

“The Secretary of State has given these offences a mandatory sentence, which is reflected in the punishment given to Green.

“The defendant was found in possession of this weapon, a stun gun, by Roads Policing officers, who were completing a routine traffic stop. The discovery of this weapon just goes to show what officers have to deal with when on a normal patrol. Luckily, the weapon was not used against officers, and no injuries were sustained by anyone.”